There are decks you love to look at. There are decks you like to play with. Then there are decks that pull you into their world. The Vampire’s Tale Tarot by Sasha Graham did all three for me. 

The Booklet - Absolutely Delicious 

Before we get into the cards, we have to talk about this fantastic booklet. The moment I opened it, it was like stepping into this wonderfully beautiful gothic world. I found it simply delicious. Sumptuous and rich, something you want to sink your teeth into. For the Major Arcana, there are a few keywords, the name of the character we see, a description or story that evolves with each card, traditional meanings, inverses meanings, and finally a question based on each card. Regarding the Minor Arcana, each suit is connected to a vampiric house that we get a short description of. For each card in the minor arcana, we get a few keywords, a description of the card with the nuance of every detail in the art, traditional meanings, inversion meanings, and again it ends with a secret question to dive deeper into each card. I found that Sasha gives a solid basis of card meanings and how to use the cards for all 78 of the tarot. So even if someone was completely new to tarot, there is more than enough in this guidebook to lead the way.  

Sasha has time and again shown she is a fantastic storyteller. Her writing is seductive; it pulls you in just as a vampire would. From the first pages, the reader will find themselves transposed into the world of Octavia. The tales are presented similar to a classic tarot fool’s journey experience. Sasha then goes into so much detail in describing the worlds of each type of vampire. Everything in each card is on purpose. Everything has a meaning. 

I devoured the story told within this booklet. I enjoyed reading it so much that when I got close to the end, I started slowing down so that I could savor the final pages.

The Cards 

The cardstock itself is on the thinner side. But because of this, I found it very light and easy to shuffle and work with.

The Artwork - Absolutely Stunning 

Divine!

The artwork is famously amazing.  I don’t even know how to describe how much I love this style and design. The illustrations have this ability to draw you in like a dreamy trance. The cards follow the Rider-Waite archetype structure, so when you see them, you will easily recognize the cards and remember the meanings you already know. And if you are new to tarot, it gives you a strong foundation, especially with the booklet. 

The art entices you to see more; it tantalizes your intuition. Abigail Larson’s artwork opens your mind to add nuances, new perspectives, and more meaning to the card’s context. Again, I was mesmerized; this deck, if anything, is a work of art. A dark gothic sensual masterpiece. Her art style and touch on every card feels like adding a soft cream or a ganache to a perfect piece of cake. 

Final Thoughts 

This deck has an atmosphere of seduction, mystery, and beauty. It is an absolute treat, especially this spooky season. However, I will definitely reach for The Vampire’s Tale Tarot throughout the year. 

What I love the most is how the booklet and the art complement each other. Sasha’s stories and Abigail’s beautiful art create this fantastic world. This deck is great for the absolute beginner and the experienced. The beginner will find the Rider-Waite architecture a great help to the start of their journey, and the experienced will enjoy the nuances all over this art piece. 

The Vampire’s Tale Tarot is for those who love vampires, stunning artwork, rich storytelling, and a touch of gothic mystery. 

Curious to explore this deliciously dark deck for yourself? 

Explore The Vampire’s Tale Tarot